Aquatic plants in and around the pond have two uses: They look very pretty and act as a natural antidote to algae. In this article you will learn which aquatic plants are well suited for the pond and how to plant the beauties correctly.

A pond lives mainly from its plants

The benefits of aquatic plants in the pond

Aquatic plants naturally keep the pond water free of algae and clean. In this sense, they are the best sewage treatment plants. The plants filter nutrients from the water to use them for their own growth. By doing this, they deprive algae of their livelihood (they can only multiply in nutrient-rich water).

Which aquatic plants are suitable for the pond?

Which aquatic plants are ideal for your pond depends on the exact type of pond. It is important to distinguish between deep water and shallow water zones and to adjust the choice of plants accordingly.

Distinguish between deep water and shallow water zones

Pond plants only thrive in the water depth that is right for them. It is therefore essential to determine the depth of different pond zones before buying new aquatic plants. Always measure from the top edge of the pond soil to the water surface.

Note: The sales label on the respective plant will normally tell you which aquatic plant needs which water depth. If in doubt, ask the dealer.

Also keep in mind that you commonly use plant baskets to plant the aquatic plants (especially for vigorous plants with the urge to spread, such as reeds and reed canary grass). A large basket is around 20 centimeters high. You must take this value into account when purchasing aquatic plants for your pond.

Example: The deepest part of a pond is often around 80 to 100 centimetres. If you subtract the height of a large plant basket from this, you arrive at a “residual depth” of 60 to 80 centimetres. This is the optimal depth for many water lilies.

Note: You do not necessarily need a plant basket for relatively slow-growing marsh and aquatic plants such as bulrush, sweet flag and false calla lily.

deep water plants

The queens of deep-water plants are undoubtedly the water lilies. They usually prefer a water depth of 50 to 80 centimetres. However, some Nymphaea feel comfortable at a depth of 30 centimeters. These are the small and rather slow-growing varieties such as "Froebelii" or "Walter Pagels". On the other hand, there are also strong-growing representatives such as "Gladstoniana", which conquer depths of 100 centimeters and more. The special properties of water lilies are the noble, heart-shaped floating leaves and the graceful flowers.

Note: Cheaper alternatives to the classic water lilies are the pond mummy (Nuphar) and the sea jug (Nymphoides). They form similarly beautiful floating leaves as water lilies, but do not bloom as profusely.

shallow water plants

Here is an overview of aquatic plants that unfold their full beauty in shallow water (10 to 30 centimeters deep):

  • Marsh iris
  • Flower bulrush (“swan flower”)
  • Heartleaf Hakeweed
  • arrowhead
  • fir fronds
  • calamus

Extra: swamp plants for the edge of the pond

At the marshy edge of the pond - still within the pond liner/pond basin) - you can use various flowering perennials:

  • mock calla
  • Meadow iris
  • Marsh Marigold

These are examples of popular marsh plants that do well in the changing conditions at the water's edge. They tolerate swampy soil, which can dry out temporarily in the hot summer periods, just as easily as light flooding up to a water depth of ten centimetres.

Notes: The false calla is particularly popular. It impresses with its eye-catching flowers in spring and the leaves, which can be up to one meter in size and appear a little later. Note that the mock calla needs an extremely thick layer of soil (at least 40 centimeters). Richly flowering and uncomplicated bestsellers are the meadow iris and the marsh marigold.

How to put aquatic plants in the pond

Here are some essential tips for adding aquatic plants to the pond:

  • Transplant the beauty from the sales pot into a stable plastic mesh basket. The latter should be slightly larger than the root ball.
  • Fill in the pond soil all around. This is poorer in nutrients than normal potting soil (important to prevent algae).
  • It also makes sense to use crushed clay granules or lime-free gravel - each as an alternative or supplement to the pond soil (again to counteract the increased growth of algae).
  • It is best to use coarse gravel for a koi pond. Otherwise you risk the fish digging the roots out of the baskets. Simply cover the soil, expanded clay (€19.73) or finer gravel with large pebbles.

Extra: create a smooth transition

Create a smooth transition from the aquatic plants in your pond to the flower beds around the water oasis. In this way, you succeed in integrating the pond into the garden environment in an absolutely harmonious way.

For the beds that connect to the swamp zone, it is advisable to use perennials that visually match the swamp and aquatic plants. Examples of this:

  • meadow rue
  • daylily
  • silver candle
  • Funkie

tips

Be sure to leave part of the edge of the pond unplanted. Only then can you enjoy the fascinating life in and around the water up close.

Category:

Vegetable garden